News Releases

Memorial University nursing students take lead at cardiac and stroke care conference

DATE:

Nov. 13, 2013

Fourth-year students in Memorials School of Nursing initiated, planned and organized a conference taking place this weekend that will feature a multidisciplinary approach to cardiac and stroke care.

The CARE Conference takes place this Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Capital Hotel in St. Johns and brings together cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists, specialists in neuro-rehabilitation and recovering cardiac and stroke patients.

A keynote address by cardiologist Dr. Kevin Melvin and a panel discussion with recovering cardiac and stroke patients are highlights of the day-long event.

Nursing students planned and organized the CARE Conference as part of Dr. April Manuels class on complex care.

Getting students engaged with the community helps prepare them for the future, she said. Its a learning experience that you cant get in a textbook, and its about putting theory into practice.

The students developed the conference program, planned the agenda and a heart-healthy menu, approached guest speakers and handled registration and communication.

Weve have been taught in nursing school about the importance of multidisciplinary teams to ensure patient-centered care, said Samantha West, one of the student organizers. The conference will help demonstrate why this is important, and how each discipline connects to give optimal patient outcomes.

Hearing the survivor stories from our panel guests will really be eye-opening, she continued. I look forward to learning from all of our speakers, and Im confident this experience will have a positive impact on my nursing practice.

The day-long conference is supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.